Norbert Padmanadan alias Robert v. Hon. Attorney General – CA PHC APN 106/21-2021

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (represented by Hon. Attorney General) and Noberst Padmanadam alias Robert, the issue addressed was whether the High Court’s decision to refuse bail to the accused, charged under the Poisons Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance as amended, should be set aside on the grounds of exceptional circumstances. The holding established that, although the charge is serious, prolonged, and unexplained delays in prosecution—leading to nearly seven years of remand, predominantly due to prosecution-driven adjournments and the COVID-19 pandemic—constitute an exceptional circumstance justifying the grant of bail on suitable conditions. The judgment reaffirmed the principle that continued deprivation of liberty without timely prosecution can